Fairfax Felony DUI Lawyer

Consequences for any criminal conviction can be significant, and convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs are no exception. While most Fairfax DUIs will be handled as a criminal misdemeanor, some repeat and/or more serious offenders could find themselves facing felony DUI charges where the consequences are even more significant.

If you are facing felony DUI charges, contact an experienced Fairfax felony DUI lawyer. A dedicated DUI attorney could fight to achieve a positive outcome for you.

DUI Felony Offenses

There are three scenarios where a DUI could be considered a felony offense. Understanding these scenarios is an important part of working with an experienced lawyer to defense against felony DUI charges. The scenarios can be found below.

Harm to Others

Many times, individuals find themselves facing DUI charges because their driving led another individual to be harmed. If this happens, a DUI charge could escalate to a felony, irrespective of how minor the injury is. This means that even if it is an individual’s first time driving under the influence they could be charged with a felony offense. A Fairfax felony DUI lawyer could attempt to mitigate the severity of the charges someone may face.

Multiple Felony DUI Convictions

As with most crimes, subsequent DUI convictions will likely mean harsher consequences. If an individual faces a third DUI charge within a 10-year period, they could be charged with a felony. While Virginia only considers the past ten years for this purpose, that can include DUI convictions from states other than Virginia.

Previous Felony DUI Convictions

If an individual has previously been convicted of a felony DUI, any subsequent offense they commit will be considered a felony DUI charge. As Fairfax felony DUI lawyers know, it does not matter how much time has passed between the first offense and the present offense. Individuals that were convicted of a Virginia felony DUI can face felony DUI charges even if it has been twenty or thirty years since the previous felony DUI conviction.

Potential Consequences

Many of the immediate consequences of a DUI will depend on the circumstances surrounding an individual’s charge or conviction. However serious DUI cases are generally charged as class 6 felonies, and a conviction could result in up to five years in prison in addition to heavy financial penalties. Additionally, felony convictions can impede a person’s ability to vote, get a job, travel international, and obtain education opportunities.

Contact a Fairfax Felony DUI Lawyer

If you are facing DUI charges, an experienced Fairfax felony DUI lawyer could help you. Felony DUI charges can be extremely intimidating but you do not have to face them alone. It is important to remember that you still have rights that must be understood and protected throughout the criminal justice process.

A DUI lawyer could examine your case, examine the allegations that have been brought against you, and determine an appropriate strategy for your case. Contact a Fairfax felony DUI attorney to learn more about your legal options. You deserve to have your freedom and rights protected.